Category Archives: Featured

Blog, Featured, News and Updates

Working on the Second Chapter of NaEEXUS Short Sci-Fi Film

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Working on the Second Chapter of NaEEXUS, a short sci-fi film in partnership with Reallusion ~ this was my day today in Noitom Perception Neuron 2.0 Suit, motion capture session: animation refining for 2 new characters and one from the previous film: watch it at this link: www.sowl.com/2019/01/naeexus-sci-fi-short-film-i-directed-and-animated/ ~ I am having lots of fun working on this, wearing multiple hats as the Writer, Director, animator, actor, lighting and rendering artist 😉 I can’t wait to show you all the finished product. For now, I am deep in the animation trenches. Watch this space.

Motion capture session for 2 new characters. So grateful for the support of the Reallusion Team, and honored to be a Brand Ambassador. I do love animating with iClone.

Blog, Featured, News and Updates

My Art journey in the Diaspora, From Dream to Action ~ Working Full Time on Nkoza and Nankya

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My Art journey in the Diaspora, From Dream to Action ~ I am finally back to working full time on Nkoza and Nankya, and Painting!! ~ I transitioned from working full time for almost 2 years as the Art Director of a Virtual Reality (VR) gaming studio based in Washington D. C, I was so blessed by my time there, and I know that God led me there so I could make a difference, grow and become a better artist.

I learned so much about Autism, Virtual Reality gaming and the major shift happening in the industry. When I first joined, I had no idea how to build apps, and I had been looking around for someone to help me, but almost everywhere I looked, I was told I had to pay between $5000 to $10,000 dollars.

During the last 2 years, I dived into learning how to create iOS and Android apps whenever I got home home from work, and I did it!!! That’s how I was able to create the Nkoza and Nankya app ( http://www.nkozaandnankya.com/mobileapp ).

I am now in a better place and I know that the time is right for me to give Nkoza and Nankya my full attention. I will also be painting, I will share more about that. Do please show your support by liking the Nkoza and Nankya facebook page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/NkozaandNankya and subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/NkozaandNankya ~ I am daring to Dream Really Big!!! Thank you for your support!!

Thank you so much to each and everyone of you that has believed in and encouraged me. To the Nkoza and Nankya team and my loving wife and kids, I am forever grateful!! ~ family and friends, dare to dream Big!!

Blog, Featured, News and Updates, Tutorials

Iron Man ~ tyFlow Simulation Test, 3DS Max and Octane 4

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Iron man thinking, Maggots ain’t got nothing on me.. but tyFlow got something on me!! ~ This is my second test with this awesome plugin tyFlow for 3DS Max. I am using the target attraction node and taking the tyFlow worms scene a little further. I rendered the scene using Octane 4. Check out the video below.

Don’t forget to Subscribe to My Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/SolomonJagwe ~ Visit and like my facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/Art.of.Solomon.W.Jagwe

Blog, Featured, Tutorials

tyFlow is an Awesome Plugin for 3DS Max

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Every now and then, a plugin comes along with the potential to change the workflow of many CG artists, and sometimes it takes a while for said plugin to be adopted and for it to be embraced by casual and professional users ~ well, recently a new plugin for 3DS Max came along and it has been embraced enmass by many 3DS Max users, because it is easy to use and carries along a familiar glow, pun intended… 🙂 ~ tyFlow is like Particle Flow, pFlow’s new sibling that is growing in leaps and bounds and has the potential to replace it.

I did some tests with tyFlow and I must say I am hooked!!

Tyflow Animation rendering using Autodesk 3ds Max? and OTOY? Octane 4.0 ~ I finally got the animation rendered, check it out!! ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAkJHAn1NY4 ~ I loooove this plugin!!!

Blog, Featured, News and Updates, Tutorials

N-aEEXUS Sci-Fi Short Film I Directed and Animated

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Wooohooo!!! I am officially a Sci-fi Film Director!! lol!! “N-aEEXUS”, the Short Film I Wrote, Directed and Animated as a one man team in partnership with Reallusion, using iClone and Character Creator 3, is finally online and I can share with you the amazing journey!! My wife acted in it as the female Major in the interrogation chamber!! I played the part of the Commander, and did the Voice acting for the Alien Lord and Commander as well. This was so much fun!! Check out the Feature tutorial on CGSociety at this link: https://cgsociety.org/news/article/4330/creating-a-3d-sci-fi-short-in-30-days ~ Dare to dream big, friends!!

I am so grateful to my wife for joining me on this adventure and playing a key acting role in the film.

The video below shows a side by side demo of me acting and the Alien Lord 3D Character with Facial Mocap from an iPhone X mounted on my home made head mounted Camera Rig, built on my wife’s bike helmet, captured in iClone 7 using Motion LIVE, LIVE Face and the Perception Neuron 2.0 motion capture suit for the full body mocap. This has so much promise as a combo solution for Indie film makers and storytellers.

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3D Artist Magazine Feature ~ My Tutorial in Partnership with Reallusion

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3D Artist Magazine Feature ~ My Tutorial in Partnership with Reallusion ~ What an Awesome Day!!! Nkoza and Nankya are going places!!! Nankya is featured in one of the largest Print and Online magazines in the world for 3D artists!!! Don’t miss issue 123 of the 3D Artist Magazine!!! In the article I share the process I use in my Facial animation workflow for the characters in the Adventures of Nkoza and Nankya, using Reallusion’s iClone, Motion LIVE, Faceware Realtime for iClone, and Noitom’s Perception Neuron 2.0 Motion capture suit. The digital version for 3D Artist Magazine Issue 123 is out as well. Never give up on your Dreams Friends, and as always Dare to Dream really Big!!

Blog, Featured, News and Updates, Tutorials

Speeding Up Your 3D Renders using Octane 4 Render Engine in 3DS Max

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A quick Tutorial showing how you can speed up your renders in 3DS Max using the Octane 4.0, featuring 2 of my favorite features: Denoiser and Dynamic Subdivision ~ I am using GPU rendering with Octane to render a short film based on Pacific Rim, and getting an average of 5 seconds to 10 Seconds per frame.

Don’t forget to Subscribe to My Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/SolomonJagwe ~ Visit and like my facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/Art.of.Solomon.W.Jagwe

Blog, Featured, News and Updates, Tutorials

Home Made Head Mounted Camera Rig with iPhone X, iClone Motion LIVE, LIVE Face

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“Never ever be accused of not using your head” Katwe Style… I brought my old home made head mounted camera rig from retirement and updated it to support an iPhone X. I am now using it to do combo full body and facial mocap using Reallusion’s Motion LIVE and LIVE Face plus Noitomocap’s Perception Neuron 2.0 mocap suit. Sometimes technology shows up at just the right time and place. Taking the Nkoza and Nankya vision from dream to action. Friends, Dare to dream BIG!!! – www.nkozaandnankya.com

To create the Rig, I used my wife’s bike helmet, and attached a Flexible Universal Gooseneck Smartphone Stand with Clamp from a Haitent Retractable Adjustable Cell Phone Tall Tripod Stand Holder, using zip ties. Check it out at this link: https://amzn.to/2PDtEPd

Here is a rendered animation showing the combo result of both Facial and Body mocap.

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Trip to Florence, Italy ~ A Photo Essay

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I finally made it to Florence, Italy with my Wife as we celebrated our 18 Anniversary.

As a traditional artist, I had always dreamed of one day visiting Florence to see with my own eyes, works by the old art Masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Corriggio and many others. It was a double blessing to visit Florence with my wife, who has been an awesome supporter of my art journey and my wacky art ideas.

It was a long line to get in, but finally we made into the Gallerie Digli Uffizi!! I got goose bumps as we walked through the hallways and took in all the incredible works of art.

I left Florence with much needed inspiration, my desire to paint and create was so heightened, I was lost in thought as my wife prodded me for how I felt about the whole experience.. all I could utter was.. Epic!!!

Check out the photos from my experience of Florence. I took so many photos, but the ones below, best express what I was able to see and experience. I highly recommend Florence to every artist and Art lover, you have to see it with your own eyes. Enjoy, comments are welcome 🙂

Blog, Featured

Trip to Venice, Italy ~ a Photo Essay

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My wife and I had such a wonderful time in Venice, Italy. Here are some photos I was able to capture with my camera. Venice is so beautiful and awe inspiring!! We were fortunate to have 2 days of gorgeous weather.

I highly recommend Venice for an anniversary vacation or a family vacation. Be ready to walk though or at least budget for water taxi fares to get around the island. Even after the water taxi drops you off, you still have to walk to the various restaurants and hotels. They have Gondolas that dock near the different hotels that line the water ways, budget between 80 to 100 Euros. Drink lots of water; there is a grocery store called Coop, that offers much cheaper water than the one available near the more popular tourist sites. There are also drinking water spouts along the walk ways.

Depending on the time of year you visit, make sure to bring shorts and T-shirts for summer travel. It does get really hot in the afternoon, so it’s better to walk in the early part of the day and later in the evening. Whatever you did, take your time and enjoy the people as much as the food and architecture. I will never forget this place!!

Enjoy the photos below, comments are most welcome 🙂